OpenStax Reading Guides

I use Openstax Biology 2e as a textbook for my AP Bio and dual credit class. Students can download this text for free, view it on their devices and print it out. You can even purchase a bound copy from Amazon for around $60, which is very reasonable for a textbook.

I have the .pdf file from Openstax broken down into chapters, which I share with my class over google classroom. Students really resist having to carry heavy textbook around (I can’t blame them) and have expressed that they like the digital version. Some even request that I print the chapters for them (which I do.)

As with other textbooks I have used in the past, students do not read chapters unless you give them some kind of assignment that goes with it. Openstax does have chapter questions available, but I prefer to use reading guides which ask students to read the chapter, pausing to answer questions as they go. I have developed reading guides for several chapters and will add more as I go. I often only award a small number of points for reading guides, about 5 pts and mainly look for completion. Reading guides are combinations of fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, and labeling.

9 Comments

Lydia Clary

I attended Louisiana Tech this summer for BISC 130 132 and the prof used Openstax. I currently teach 9th grade Biology. I am signed up for OpenStax. I see where you have some OpenStax reading worksheets. Would you mind telling me how to access or who to contact please?

October 3, 2019

Admin

You can just click on the links, they are google doc files. I made them for my AP Bio students.

October 6, 2019

Donna Kercher

Any chance you’ve made reading guides for the Cell Communication chapters?

October 25, 2019

Admin

I haven’t gotten that far ahead, though I’ll probably be skipping that one for now since I don’t plan to cover it until next semester.

October 27, 2019

Admin

The links are in the above post, as either google doc files or as pdf. You are welcome to use them, though I am not affiliated with openstax, these are just things I put together to get my students to read.

Teaching earth science for the first time.
Do you have a earthscience corner? 🙂

January 20, 2020

Admin

I taught an earth science class last year for the first time and was thinking about compiling those resources. The problem is, I don’t think I did a great job and I haven’t taught it again so modify and refine lessons. Short answer: not at this time.